American Idol (Fox). Recovered its footing, not to mention its rabid fans by adding unexpected judges Steven Tyler and J Lo.

APRIL

The Killing (AMC) OK, they screwed us with a two dollar rip-off “Sopranos” ending, and by copping out by not wrapping up the mystery as promised. That said, it was still the best mystery of the year.

The Kennedys (Reelz) Historically unflinching, not always-flattering miniseries that the History Channel was too chicken to show eventually found a home at little Reelz. And Barry Pepper found an Emmy for his portrayal of Bobby.

Game of Thrones (HBO) The summer’s biggest (and probably most expensive) hit is a Comic-Con dream with the kind of fanatical audience any network would die for.

JUNE

America’s Got Talent (NBC) Everybody loves a show where families who set themselves on fire while riding motorcycles upside down compete against opera singers. It’s corny but, boy, does it work.

JULY

In the Arena (CNN) After doing in his on-air partner, Eliot Spitzer got done in himself. Never ashamed, Client No. 9 had the nerve to compare himself to Theodore Roosevelt by quoting him on his final sign-off.

AUGUST

Jersey Shore (MTV) The ratings bonanza rolled on like a meatball rolling downhill as the kids singlehandedly brought about a second fall of the Roman Empire.

­SEPTEMBER

New Girl (Fox) Funniest new show of the season, garnered both a Golden Globe nom for Zooey Deschanel and a “Best New Series” Writers Guild nom.

Two and a Half Men (CBS) The show that was supposed to die without Charlie Sheen’s tiger blood got a transfusion from human-scale Ashton Kutcher and racked up 19 million viewers (vs Sheen’s 12 million). Roaaaar.

Dancing With the Stars (ABC) The world could only take so much Chaz Bono — and the show felt more tired than Bono’s feet by the end.

Homeland (Showtime) It’s rare when a critical darling becomes a fan fave too, but that was the case with “Homeland,” a kind of “24” for grownups. Claire Danes, Damian Lewis and Mandy Patinkin were so strong that even I stopped making fun of Patinkin for the first time since the Clinton years. The finale broke Showtime records.

The Walking Dead (AMC) When they left us hanging (along with zombie guts) at the end of last season, fans were bereft — especially after the show’s creator got the boot. But the show was as wonderfully disgustingly vile on its return.